Roasted coffee beans are like little flavor vaults, protecting the tasty oils and nutrients that provide all the great flavor and richness that coffee lovers crave.

Grinding fresh coffee preserves all of the flavor and aromas that coffee beans are intended to deliver. It may take a few more minutes to make your coffee in the mornings, but it’ll guarantee better-tasting coffee with more body, flavor, and aromas.

What to look for in a burr grinder

If you’re tired of drinking stale coffee in the morning, it’s time to start grinding your own coffee beans, and consider buying a digital scale. Coffee grinders can be expensive, but there are plenty of great options that can deliver a professional-quality grind without breaking the bank.

That said, there are definitely some lemons in the sub-$50 price range, so don’t go out and buy the cheapest grinder that you can find. Also you could consider buying a coffee maker with a built-in-grinder. To help you in your search for the best coffee grinder under $50, here are a few tips to consider:

Burr mill system – a burr mill system preserves flavor and aromas by avoiding the overheating issues you see in cheaper grinders.

Stainless-steel vs ceramic blades – stainless-steel burr blades are the standard when it comes to quality. Ceramic blades are even better as they reduce heat better and last longer, but they can be more expensive.

Coarseness selector – different brewing methods require different coarseness levels, so you’ll want to choose a grinder that caters to your preferred brewing methods. Fine grinds are best for espresso; medium grinds are best for drip and pour-over coffee; and coarse grinds are best for French presses.

Automatic stop – a good automatic grinder should have an automatic shutoff features that stops grinding beans when you’ve reached your desired output. It kind of defeats the purpose of grinding fresh coffee if you grind too much and leave grounds in the container for too long.

Manual vs automatic grinders – automatic grinders are best when you’re looking for simplicity and volume. Manual grinders tend to produce a more consistent grind size, but they can be tedious if you’re making coffee for multiple people. However, manual grinders are significantly quieter than automatic grinders, so they’re a great pick for early-risers who don’t want to make too much noise while making their morning cup of Joe.

The KRUPS GX5000 is a powerful metallic flat burr grinder that lets you grind whole coffee beans without losing flavor or aroma. You can choose from 9 grind levels that cater to the full range of drip, cold brew, and pour-over brewing methods, with each of the 9 grind levels offering 5 intermediary steps for precise grind control.

The quantity selector can handle 2 – 12 cups of coffee at a time, and the large-capacity bean container has a seal to keep your beans fresh and flavorful. For safety purposes, the grinder also has an auto-stop feature that halts grinding if the lid isn’t properly closed or if there are no more beans in the container. Unlike other grinders that can be challenging to clean, this one has a removable burr along with an included brush for quick and easy cleaning. Given its functionality and sleek looks, the KRUPS GX5000 is a great addition to any kitchen.

When it comes to kitchen appliances, Cuisinart is a brand that you can always trust. The Cuisinart DBM-8 has an 8-ounce coffee bean hopper and a grind container that can hold up to 32 servings of coffee. The grinder has an 18-position grind selector that can produce a variety of grounds from ultra-fine to extra-coarse, and you can choose to grind enough coffee for 4 – 18 cups of coffee at a time.

When it’s time to clean the machine, everything is removable—the hopper, the grind container, and the burr mill—so it’s a piece of cake to clean. It’s easy to use with a one-touch power bar, and while aesthetics won’t necessarily brew you better coffee I have to say that the stainless-steel body adds a fair amount of appeal.

If you’re looking for an automatic burr grinder at the lowest cost, take a look at the Secura SCG-903B. It’s designed to be as simple and compact as possible, but you’ll still get professional-level control with 17 grind-level selections and the ability to grind enough coffee for up to 12 cups at once. It’s easy to use with a one-touch on/off switch, and the grinder will automatically shut off when it reaches the selected output.

For those of you who prefer a manual grinder over an automatic grinder, I’d highly recommend checking out the JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder. It looks slick with an all stainless-steel body, and it uses a ceramic combo burr that can last up to 5 times longer than traditional stainless-steel blades.

The built-in adjustable grind selector offers 18 click-settings for everything from ultra-fine to extra-coarse, and it can even produce fine enough grounds to be used for Turkish espresso. Best of all, the removable hand crank produces 90% less noise than an automatic grinder, so it’s an ideal choice for those early mornings when you need some java but don’t want to wake up everyone else in the house.

Rounding out the top 5 list is the Khaw-Fee HG1B Manual Coffee Grinder. This manual grinder uses a ceramic conical burr for precise, consistent grinds and a quiet grinding process. You’ll have full control over the coarseness, with the ability to produce everything from fine grinds for espresso to coarse grinds for French press brewing. The rubber top does a nice job of keeping the beans from spilling out of the hopper while you grind, and it’s easy to clean with all-removable parts.

Highlights:

High quality ceramic conical burr

Coarseness control from fine to coarse

Removable silicone base for easy cleaning

No batteries or cord required

Lifetime warranty and satisfaction guarantee

Takeaways

If you’re set on getting an automatic grinder, I’d recommend going with the KRUPS GX5000. Not only is it highly rated and widely recommended, it’s the grinder that I personally use in my home. If you’d prefer a manual grinder, the JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder is also highly rated and widely recommended, so I’d recommend going with that option.

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